Companies are competing to win a contract. One pays a bribe to exclude its competitor from the bidding process, or to win the contract. If caught, it faces prosecution under the UK's Bribery Act 2010, as do its bribing directors or employees. The bribing company also risks termination of its contract and claims from its customer.

But could it also be sued by its aggrieved competitor for compensation?

In England, and other common law countries, the answer is yes. And the available claims are not limited to wasted bidding expenditure. Lost profits can also be recovered.